Dolphins G.M. Jeff Ireland is looking for playmakers this offseason, but that may not include impending free agent running back Reggie Bush.

Citing sources, Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports reports Bush is “highly unlikely” to be re-signed by the Dolphins. La Canfora suspects Bush could land with a “contender” on a short-term deal, but he’s apparently not expected back in Miami.

Behind Bush on the depth chart this past season, the Dolphins had pedestrian, fumble-prone veteran Daniel Thomas and fourth-round pick Lamar Miller. Although Miller was incredibly raw as a rookie in terms of both playbook knowledge and blitz pickup, he may be the future at the position for the Dolphins. Miller averaged nearly five yards a carry in 2012.

Bush can contribute on special teams as a return specialist and is effective in limited doses as a ball carrier. His strength is still the passing game, but the Dolphins didn’t use him there with a high frequency. Despite playing in all 16 games this past season, Bush finished with 35 receptions — the second lowest total of his career.

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Mon Jan 28, 2013 8:10 pm

swerve13

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Re: Jason LaCanfora thinks it highly unlikely that Miami will

Quote:

The Dolphins think Lamar Miller can be better than Reggie Bush, whom they are not expected to re-sign this offseason.Miller is bigger -- 5-foot-11 and 212 pounds -- and faster than Bush is, while he's also considerably cheaper. Miller seems to fit Joe Philbin's offense better, too, as a running back who hits the right hole at the right time. Bush was more of an innovator and creator out of the backfield. Miller averaged five yards-per-carry on 51 totes as a rookie.

- Armando Salguero

Tue Jan 29, 2013 3:04 am

degs

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Re: Jason LaCanfora thinks it highly unlikely that Miami will

I've been saying that Philbin will continue the cull of legacy players and there will be players cut fans dont think of at risk, like Bush. This shouldn't really surprise anyone.

Tue Jan 29, 2013 4:22 am

swerve13

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Re: Jason LaCanfora thinks it highly unlikely that Miami will

I felt that the writing was on the wall when we drafted Lamar

Tue Jan 29, 2013 5:05 am

Finhead34

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Re: Jason LaCanfora thinks it highly unlikely that Miami will

I would like to see Miami keep Reggie Bush if they can resign him for a reasonable salary and really my main concern with losing him is not seeing the Patriots or Jets pick him up, especially the Pats.

History has shown us that Belicheck takes our former players and uses them to success and of course us fans get to feel the pain of that twice a year.

I still think Reggie is a play maker and can help the fins next season. They just need to better use his abilities and certainly at the very least keep him as a third down back threat and personally if you allowed him him to return punts, I bet he would be a big asset on special teams.

Tue Jan 29, 2013 7:07 am

degs

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Re: Jason LaCanfora thinks it highly unlikely that Miami will

Finhead34 wrote:

I would like to see Miami keep Reggie Bush if they can resign him for a reasonable salary and really my main concern with losing him is not seeing the Patriots or Jets pick him up, especially the Pats.

History has shown us that Belicheck takes our former players and uses them to success and of course us fans get to feel the pain of that twice a year.

I still think Reggie is a play maker and can help the fins next season. They just need to better use his abilities and certainly at the very least keep him as a third down back threat and personally if you allowed him him to return punts, I bet he would be a big asset on special teams.

You don't pay a 3rd down back the money he will be looking for

Tue Jan 29, 2013 7:33 am

10acjed

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Re: Jason LaCanfora thinks it highly unlikely that Miami will

I am beginning to feel this is all just par for the course at this point. With the Marshall and Davis trades, and now reports coming that Bush, Long, Smith, Hartline and Fasano probably wont be coming back unless they want to play here for less money.

Seems to me they would prefer to let them go and keep building and clearing out the cap for the future.

They could always call Mickey & Pat and get some pointers on how to load a roster LOL...

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Tue Jan 29, 2013 7:42 am

jammer

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Re: Jason LaCanfora thinks it highly unlikely that Miami will

10acjed wrote:

I am beginning to feel this is all just par for the course at this point. With the Marshall and Davis trades, and now reports coming that Bush, Long, Smith, Hartline and Fasano probably wont be coming back unless they want to play here for less money.

Seems to me they would prefer to let them go and keep building and clearing out the cap for the future.

They could always call Mickey & Pat and get some pointers on how to load a roster LOL...

Its no secret Philbin wants to get "his guys" on the roster, same as Parcells did. They have the cap space and draft picks to do so but they better hope the team gels quickly.

Tue Jan 29, 2013 8:23 am

Finhead34

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Re: Jason LaCanfora thinks it highly unlikely that Miami will

You don't pay a 3rd down back the money he will be looking for

Perhaps that is the end result, but how do you know what money he will take to stay in Miami Degs?

And I said for a "reasonable salary" so I agree not for a big contract.

Tue Jan 29, 2013 8:43 am

degs

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Re: Jason LaCanfora thinks it highly unlikely that Miami will

Finhead34 wrote:

You don't pay a 3rd down back the money he will be looking for

Perhaps that is the end result, but how do you know what money he will take to stay in Miami Degs?

And I said for a "reasonable salary" so I agree not for a big contract.

I don't know what he is looking for. I do know that I have heard it is expected he will not get another $5m a season contract, but something slightly lower.

If he were to get half his previous deal...$2.5m a season, that is too much for a third down back.

Tue Jan 29, 2013 8:59 am

jammer

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Re: Jason LaCanfora thinks it highly unlikely that Miami will

degs wrote:

If he were to get half his previous deal...$2.5m a season, that is too much for a third down back.

If he is a 3rd down back, punt returner, and a guy who lines up at receiver then I think 2.5 million is worth it. He still has playmaking ability and would be great insurance if Miller got hurt.

My guess is Miami uses that money to instead target a big time FA or perhaps lock up another guy (Long, Smith, Hartline, Starks) that we are debating.